Fun Foto of the Week!

It's about time!
Can you believe it's been a year since Woo Jin Park, a student at the Santa Monica school for over 10 years, finally received his black belt!?
Good luck to all the black belt candidates testing on Saturday, June 11th and 12th!

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Summer Special: Take 10% off our 1 Year Programs

Our location features 4500 sq.ft. for all your training needs, including two classroom mats with full length mirrors, central air conditioning and heating, a weight room area, men and women’s locker rooms, and convenient parking lots next door.
Parents can observe classes or relax with free reading material while young children enjoy a children’s entertainment center and homework area.
We also offer free WiFi for your convenience.

Spread the word! Summer's a great time to start training in martial arts.
And with 2 locations for your living and commuting convenience, there's nothing to stop you from becoming the next KARATE KID!

Fun Foto of the Week

Happy Birthday Grandmaster Jun Chong!
We celebrated Master Chong's birthday at the beautiful Cicada Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles last month in May. The theme was a 1930's Moonlight Serenade, complete with finger wave hairdo's, fedora hats, and lots of feathers!
Thanks to everyone who could come out and join in the festivities!

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

June's Students of the Month!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JUNE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH,

MAYA LEE & LAUREN KIM!

Name: Maya Lee
Education Level: 2nd Grade
Belt level, training since: Orange white stripe, training since age 6

Q. Describe yourself in 3 words:
A. Funny, shy, and kind

Q. Name one thing you wish you knew before joining Tae Kwon Do:
A. I wish I had started Tae Kwon Do earlier.

Q. Your biggest vice:
A. Candy

Q. Your favorite food:
A. Ramen and sushi

Q. How has Tae Kwon Do changed you?
A. It made me more confident

Q. What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in TKD?
A. That I didn't know my techniques and everyone else did!

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. Climbing trees and making comic strips

Q. What made you want to join Tae Kwon Do?
A. My brother

Q. What are you best at in Tae Kwon Do?
A. Forms

Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A. A black belt

FULL NAME: Lauren Mary Kim
OCCUPATION/EDUCATION LEVEL: Stunts, dancer, actor/BS in business admin.
BELT LEVEL: Blue

Q. Describe yourself in 3 words:
A. Independent, silly, loyal

Q. Name one thing you wish you knew before joining Tae Kwon Do:
A. Just wish I started sooner

Q. You favorite food:
A. Sushi, greek food, calbi truck, sweet potato fries.

Q. How has Tae Kwon Do changed you?
A. Taught me to not be lazy. There are necessary steps to reach an ultimate goal.

Q. What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you at Tae Kwon Do?
A. I didn't have time to wash my uniform and I smelt really bad, good for sparring though; opponents were scared. (eeeewwww dirty girl muchasha sucia)

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. Pole and tissue class, gymnastics, wushu classes @ bodhi tree.

Q. What made you want to join Tae Kwon Do?
A. Discipline and to be a better stunt woman.

Q. What are you best at in Tae Kwon Do?
A. good memory

Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A. Being a real ninja.

Testimonial from Black Belt Daniel Dvorsky

"Philosophy of Training"
a Black Belt Essay by Daniel Dvorsky, 5th dan black belt

As a method for training, Taekwondo uses the body to develop the mind and the mind to develop the body. We combine what is physical and what is mental, what is outside and what is within, and unseparate these parts into a natural whole. This practice enables the student to better understand their own nature. We learn completeness and simple satisfaction through Taekwondo and can make it the same in all acts of life.

Through Taekwondo I have realized I may never be as good as Master Chong or Master Rhee or anyone else. I am here, however, to be as good as me, and I can that good if I let myself. What I embark upon is a path to my own perfection and never perfection itself. And yet this involvement, this endless preparation, this sense of duty, this continuous path brings me no further than right here...right now. This is because martial arts is not a destination but a path and those who are truly courageous and "perfect" are the ones who continue to move forward and try.

Fun Foto of the Week

Intimidating enough for ya??
This is what you would have seen at a belt testing at the old Wilshire school back in the day...and they were as tough as they looked!
People I can recognize at the table: Simon Rhee, Greg Williams, Phillip Rhee, and Master Chong (far right).
Can you see all the students lined up against all the walls for testing?? Testings would last 2-3 hours sometimes!!
If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Fun Foto of the Week

Black belt James Huang and Master Mason Williams take a break from refereeing students at the 15th annual WUMAO tournament to pose for this photo.
Looking good!
If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!